Android App Development

· Android,app,Haircut Tracker

As I have mentioned on my Twitter bio, I develop Android apps in my spare time. Earlier this year, I thought it might be fun to try to learn Java. Theoretically, I learned Java in college, but that was one semester quite some time ago. To give you an idea of how much of a novice I am, at the beginning, I googled "how to make a struct in Java". At first, I was Cargo cult programming, but I have generally reached a minimum level of Java knowledge, at least for (somewhat minimal) Android applications.

I have several ideas for apps (of which a couple are actually unique, though of course, very niche). I started with the simplest idea, where users enter data and the app saves and displays the data. A friend of mine was once given the advice "Don't start with your dream" as you are likely to make a lot of mistakes. That seems like fair advice for something where I'm a novice.

So after a few months, I created the Haircut Tracker. And then my wife and her friend were discussing whether or not it's a silly idea and how women would never use it. They had some ideas for what women would want, and I then made Salon Tracker. Another friend wanted to track her manicures, and another Save As later, we have Mani-Pedi Tracker.

Random note. It has been fun learning Java, but I just wanted to note it was kind of fun making the fake entries that are in my Google Play pictures.

Anyway, a friend just asked on Facebook if anyone knew an app developer. This guy has well over 1000 friends on Facebook, but I just sent him a link anyway. (Hey it's worth a shot and maybe the worst case is I get one more download for one of my apps.) But it looks like I'm going to get a call from his friend that made the original request. I'll let you know how it goes.